Adjuvant containing baicalin, particularly from a scutellaria baicalensis extract, and animal feed containing such an adjuvant

ABSTRACT

A nutritional adjuvant intended to improve the production performance in farmed animals in a situation of stress, consisting of baicalin and/or baicalein diluted on a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

The technical field of the present invention involves feed additives andfeed for farmed animals. More specifically, the present inventioninvolves plant extracts to maintain and increase the productivity inproductive farmed animals in uncomfortable conditions.

Uncomfortable conditions generate stress and are correlated withphysiological and behavioural changes that render farmed animalssensitive to disease. These stressful conditions have an even morenegative impact on their wellbeing. One of the consequences is areduction in the productivity of these weakened animals, whether it bemilk production, eggs, meat or any other product. The phases ofdiscomfort and stress are also characterised by a production below thegenetic potential of the animals.

Performance improvements have been used and incorporated in the feed, inparticular antibiotics intended, in ruminants for example, to orient therumen fermentation by only selecting the beneficial bacteria.

These antibiotic improvements also stimulate the production of farmedanimals by reducing inflammation (Niewold, 2007). Indeed, inflammatoryphenomena reduce the production of meat, milk and eggs (Klasing et al,1997; Trevisi et al, 2010) situations of discomfort or stress such asbirthing, weaning, thermal or environmental changes, non-adaptedconditions, etc.

Moreover, the use of antibiotics by farmers follows the occurrence ofsituations of discomfort or stress.

These antibiotic improvements represent potential public health risks bythe development of resistances in bacteria and rejection by someconsumers.

A great many plant extracts demonstrate anti-inflammatory andanti-oxidant effects (Kim et al, 2004; Rice-Evans et al, 1996). Theyrepresent natural nutritional alternatives able to act simultaneously onthe wellbeing of farmed animals and the maintenance of their production,whatever the farming conditions. These plant extracts may beincorporated in animal feed, food supplements or in their drinkingwater.

Patent application CN102805271 discloses an anti-stress,anti-diarrhoeal, pro-growth feed additive for weaned piglets derivedfrom Chinese herbal medicine. This additive is obtained by a mixture offinely ground Astragalus mongholicus, Scutellaria baicalensis, malt,liquorish, dang shen, Poria cocos and the rhizome of Atractylode.According to Chinese herbal medicine, the additive in the presentinvention may increase the growth performance of weaned piglets, theadditive has anti-diarrhoeal effects; the development of thegastro-intestinal tract of weaned piglets may be improved; the activityof the digestive enzymes of the gastro-intestinal tract may be improvedto support the development of the digestive enzyme system of pigs; themicro-ecological environment of the digestive tract of pigs may beregulated and stabilised to accelerate the growth of the pigs; theanti-oxidant function of the organism of weaned piglets may be improvedto reinforce the compensating capacities of the pigs when confrontedwith environmental irradiation; the shape of the intestinal mucosa isimproved to avoid the collapse of the intestinal villi and reinforce therestoration of the intestinal tract; and the immunological function ofthe intestinal mucosa in weaned piglets may be regulated.

Patent application CN103315145 presents a feed for weaned pigletscomprising an additive consisting of Chinese yam, purple perilla,Scutellaria baicalensis, dafflower, Houttuynia cordata, Leonurus, Radixdichroa and liquorice. The feed for piglets may provide basic nutritivesubstances once the piglets have been weaned. At the same time, thegrowth and immunity of the piglets may be increased by the addition ofthe additive.

Patent application CN101816382 describes a feed additive and its use inthe resistance to disease and to increase egg-laying. This additiveincludes a mixture of plant extracts known in traditional Chinesemedicine including a Scutellaria baicalensis extract.

Patent application CN101971933 describes a prenatal nutritional additiveand a post-partum nutritional additive comprising a mixture of differentplants from traditional Chinese medicine such as Scutellaria. These twoadditives are administered to cows before and after calving. Theseperinatal additives help improve the post-partum immunity, their healthand their milk production.

Scutellaria baicalensis is an Asian plant. Its extracts in particularinclude two active ingredients from the flavonoids, baicalin andbaicalein. The latter demonstrate an anti-inflammatory action (Chou etal, 2003; Hsieh et al, 2007) and an anti-viral action.

-   Ballou, M. A., Immune responses of Holstein and Jersey calves during    the pre-weaning and immediate post-weaning periods when fed varying    planes of milk replacer, J. Dairy Sci, 2012; 95(12):7319-30-   Chou, T.-C., Chang, L.-P., Li, C.-Y., Wong, C.-S., & Yang, S.-P.    (2003). The Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Baicalin in    Carrageenan-Evoked Thermal Hyperalagesia. Anesthesia & Analgesia,    1724-1729. doi:10.1213/01.ANE.0000087066.71572.3F-   Farney, J. K., Mamedova, L. K., Coetzee, J. F., Minton, J. E.,    Hollis, L. C., Bradford, B. J., Sodium salicylate treatment in early    lactation increases whole-lactation milk and milk fat yield in    mature dairy cows, J. Dairy Sci, 2013; 96(12):7709-18-   Hsieh, C.-J., Hall, K., Ha, T., Li, C., Krishnaswamy, G., &    Chi, D. S. (2007). Baicalein inhibits IL-lbeta- and    TNF-alpha-induced inflammatory cytokine production from human mast    cells via regulation of the NF-kappaB pathway. Clinical and    molecular allergy: CMA, 5, 5. doi:10.1186/1476-7961-5-5-   Kim, H. P., Son, K. H., Chang, H. W., & Kang, S. S. (2004). Critical    Review Anti-inflammatory Plant Flavonoids and Cellular Action    Mechanisms. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, 245, 229-245.-   Klasing, K. C., Korver, D. R., & Korver, I. (1997). Leukocytic    Cytokines Regulate Growth Rate and Composition Following Activation    of the Immune System 1. Journal of Animal Science, 75, 58-67.-   Niewold, T. a. (2007). The nonantibiotic anti-inflammatory effect of    antimicrobial growth promoters, the real mode of action? A    hypothesis. Poultry science, 86(4), 605-9.-   Rice-Evans, C. A., Miller, N. J., & Paganga, G. (1996).    Structure-antioxidant activity relationships of flavonoids and    phenolic acids. Free radical biology and medicine, 20(7), 933956.-   Sordillo, L. M., Raphael, W., Significance of metabolic stress,    lipid mobilization, and inflammation on transition cow disorders,    Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract, 2013; 29(2):26778-   Trevisi, E., Zecconi, A., Bertoni, G., & Piccinini, R. (2010). Blood    and milk immune and inflammatory profiles in periparturient dairy    cows showing a different liver activity index. The Journal of dairy    research, 77(3), 310-7. doi:10.1017/50022029910000178

The solutions in the prior art consist of complex associations ofdifferent plant extracts requiring fine dosages. These associations andtheir dosages are intended for a specific species at a given stage ofdevelopment, for example, just weaned piglets.

The solutions in the prior art aren't immediately applicable for allproductive farmed animals.

In addition, these solutions consist of raw plant extracts. However, theactive ingredients in the composition of the extracts vary and, in theseconditions, it isn't possible to ensure the invariability of theeffects. This variability may even induce an inefficacy. The variabilityaccording to the different preparations of extracts and the mixture ofextracts is very high and raises concern as to the reproducibility andreliability. In addition, since the mixtures in the prior art are highlycomplex, it isn't possible to determine the effect of a given extract.However, to ensure a constant effect, it's necessary to have identifiedthe extract responsible for the searched for biological activity, beable to dose one or several active ingredients characterising theextract and the associated effects and ensure a constant intake in theanimals, corresponding to the active dose.

SUMMARY

The present invention proposes, as understood in its broadest sense, tocorrect the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a nutritionaladjuvant to improve the production performance by farmed animals in astressful situation, consisting of baicalin and/or baicalein diluted ona vehicle. The invention may also comprise baicalin and baicaleinderivatives.

Advantageously, baicalin and/or baicalein are provided by a Scutellariabaicalensis extract.

Surprisingly, the applicant observed that extracts, in particular theroot of Scutellaria baicalensis, incorporated in the feed of productivefarmed animals increased their production and normalised the disorderscaused by stressful situations without having to resort to any type ofmedication, in particular antibiotics. The Scutellaria baicalensis rootextract, specifically comprises the active ingredients of baicalin andbaicalein. These molecules can be traced throughout the production ofadjuvants and feed in accordance with the invention. This enables a veryfine control of the dose administered and ingested by the animal in itsdiet.

According to another method, baicalin and/or baicalein are obtained bychemical synthesis.

Baicalin and/or baicalein may be obtained by extraction or chemicalsynthesis according to the methods known to the person skilled in theart.

Preferentially, the adjuvant comprises baicalin and baicalein althoughit may only include one of the two molecules. Preferentially, baicalinand or baicalein are derived from a Scutellaria baicalensis rootextract.

The Scutellaria baicalensis extract is preferentially an extract fromthe root of the plant, in powder form and obtained by hydro-alcoholextraction. The Scutellaria baicalensis extract may be in dry or liquidform. The extract comprises a known quantity in weight of the activeingredient consisting of baicalin and or baicalein, classically between10 and 50% in weight of baicalin.

This nutritional adjuvant may be used in all productive farmed animals,such as and without limitation, poultry, rabbits, ruminants, sheep,cattle, goats, horses, fish, crustaceans and pigs. Productive farmedanimals refers to animals kept for the production of foodstuffs. Theadjuvant according to the invention is well tolerated by all productivefarmed animals and the safety is good in these species.

The nutritional adjuvant consists of baicalin and/or baicalein dilutedon a vehicle. The baicalin and/or baicalein is distributed to the animalat a dose ranging from 0.1 to 20 mg per kg of live weight and per day.Preferentially, the dose of baicalin and/or baicalein ranges from 0.1 to10 mg/kg of live weight and per day, more preferentially between 0.1 and5 mg/kg, and even more preferentially between 0.1 and 2 mg/kg of liveweight and per day.

The adjuvant is obtained by dilution of the dry extract of Scutellariabaicalensis on a vehicle, the aforementioned vehicle may be liquid if itis intended for a drink or the aforementioned vehicle may be solid ifintended for a solid feed product. If the final destination is to bemixed with the drinking water of productive farmed animals, then thedilution vehicle may be water or a mixture of water and mineral saltsand/or trace elements or any other additive or solvent known to theperson skilled in the art as being classically incorporated in drinkingwater. If the final destination is a solid feed, the vehicle maycomprise a grain or a mixture of grains such as wheat, barley, oats orany other raw material or additives, solvents, mineral salts and/ortrace elements known to the person skilled in the art.

A situation of discomfort or stress is understood as all of theenvironmental conditions having a negative impact on the production ofproductive farmed animals. It involves stimuli well known to the personskilled in the art having an impact on the physiology and behaviour ofthe animals, by no means limited to variations in temperature, humidity,light, the proximity of other animals, birthing, weaning, transport,contact with humans, changes in the environment, etc.

The nutritional adjuvant according to the invention stimulates the feedconversion and/or feed consumption of animals in a situation ofdiscomfort and/or stress.

Feed conversion refers to the ratio between the dry weight of the feeddistributed and the increase in production obtained. The nutritionaladjuvant according to the invention is understood to increase theproductivity of productive farmed animals by increasing the feedconversion, that is, at an equal weight of a given feed, the growth ofthe animal is higher and the productivity is better.

Feed consumption refers to the daily ration consumed by each animal. Thenutritional adjuvant according to the invention is understood tostimulate the appetite of the animals and as a result, their production.

Advantageously, the nutritional adjuvant is applied to the stimulationof lactation in animals in a situation of discomfort, the stimulation ofthe production of eggs in animals in a situation of discomfort, thestimulation of growth of animals in a situation of discomfort, thestimulation of the resistance to disease in animals in a situation ofdiscomfort.

The nutritional adjuvant according to the invention does not compriseantibiotics.

The invention also comprises a feed for animals comprising a nutritionaladjuvant intended to improve the production performance by animals in asituation of discomfort or stress, comprising an extract of Scutellariabaicalensis, of known concentration in flavonoid, or synthetic flavonoidactive ingredients, the aforementioned flavonoids preferentially beingbaicalin and/or baicalein as well as their derivatives.

The feed may come in the form of a liquid, pulp, paste, granules,powders or any other solid form. It comprises the adjuvant on a vehicle,comprising baicalin and/or baicalein flavonids, preferentially, aextract of Scutellaria baicalensis, providing the animals with between0.1 and 20 mg/kg of live weight and per day of baicalin/baicalein activeingredient.

The feed comprising an adjuvant according to the invention may be usedin the improvement of production performance by animals in a situationof discomfort, in the stimulation of lactation in animals in a situationof discomfort, in the stimulation of the production of eggs in animalsin a situation of discomfort, in the stimulation of growth in animals ina situation of discomfort or even in the stimulation of the resistanceto disease in animals in a situation of discomfort.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To demonstrate the efficacy of the adjuvant according to the invention,in vivo tests were carried out in different productive farmed animalsspecies subject to a stress.

FIG. 1 presents the results in the evolution in the average daily milkproduction in the cow receiving feed in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 presents the dose of baicalin ingested by sows during test 2.

FIG. 3 presents the effect of the daily dose of baicalin on the feedconsumption during the phase of thermal discomfort during test 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The situations of discomfort induced by birthing have been shown to besusceptible of altering the state of health and lactation (Ballou, 2012;Farney et al., 2013; Sordillo & Raphael, 2013).

Test 1: Study of the Effect of the Administration of a Feed Comprisingthe Adjuvant Comprising an Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis on a SolidVehicle on the Milk Production by Dairy Cows Subject to a Stress

Protocol:

The test was carried out on a herd of one hundred Prim'Holstein dairycows.

24 dairy cows calving during the same period were divided into twogroups of twelve according to the date of calving, the lactation rank,the amount of milk produced, the fat level, the protein level at day 305after the previous lactation for the multiparous cows, the milk indexfor the primiparous cows.

The maize silage ration was identical in both groups except for theaddition of an adjuvant according to the invention including 10% of aScutellaria baicalensis extract on a calcium carbonate vehicle. Thisadjuvant was incorporated at the rate of 0.5% in the production feed(17% raw protein, 1 UFL) distributed at the rate of 2 kg per cow and perday in the test group. Each cow therefore received 1 gram per day ofScutellaria baicalensis extract, that is, 333 mg of baicalin, or 0.5mg/kg live weight.

Results on the Milk Production:

The milk production was significantly improved over the two months ofmonitoring. The effect of the Scutellaria baicalensis extract onlactation is observed after the first month (phase 2 in FIG. 1). FIG. 1shows the improvement in the average daily milk production in cowsreceiving feed supplemented with a Scutellaria baicalensis extract inaccordance with the invention as compared with the cows in the controlgroup. Table 1 sums up the averages of milk production of the cowsaccording to their feed. The milk production is significantly higher inthe group of cows receiving feed supplemented with Scutellariabaicalensis.

TABLE 1 Milk production in kg/cow/day (ns: non significant) Group TotalPeriod 1 Period 2 Scutellaria 44 42.8 45.9 Control 42.5 41.7 42.9 p <0.05 ns < 0.05

Test 2: Study of the Effect of a Lactation Feed Comprising a Scutellariabaicalensis Extract on the Lactation of Sows.

As opposed to dairy cows where the milk production can be directlymeasured, the milk production of sows is indirect and is measured by theweight increase in piglets nursed by their mothers (ADWG—Average DailyWeight Gain in grams).

Protocol:

55 sows were divided into two groups. The feed (the characteristics areprovided in table 2) was distributed during the entire period oflactation of the sows. The Scutellaria baicalensis adjuvant consists ofa Scutellaria baicalensis extract incorporated at the rate of 1.5% on avehicle. The TEST feed contained 150 mg of Scutellaria baicalensisextract per kg, that is 50 mg of baicalin per kg of feed. The feed wasdistributed to the sows, three days before birthing until the weaning ofthe piglets (21 days after birthing). 632 piglets were included in thetest.

TABLE 2 Characteristics of the feed distributed to the sows Lactationfeed Control Test SOWS ENT (MJ/kg) 9.7 9.7 Fatty matter (%) 5.3 5.3 Rawprotein (%) 16.5 16.5 Raw cellulose (%) 6.3 6.3 Digestible lysine (%)0.9 0.9 Digestible phosphorus (%) 0.32 0.32 Electrolytic balance(mEq/kg) 175 175 Digestible Ca/P 2.8 2.8 Wheat (%)* 20.0 19.0 Barley (%)17.6 17.6 Maize (%) 8.6 8.6 Milurex (%) 10.0 10.0 Peas (%) 6.0 6.0 Soygrain (%) 3.0 3.0 Soy meal (%) 7.5 7.5 Canola meal (%) 4.2 4.2 Sunflowermeal (%) 8.0 8.0 Beet pulp (%) 6.0 6.0 Canola oil (%) 2.3 2.3Scutellaria — 1.0 Baicalensis adjuvant* *1% wheat is provided by theadjuvant vehicle.

The feed intake of each sow was recorded and used to calculate the dailydose ingested per kg of live weight and per day during the trial. Thisdaily dose is provided in FIG. 2.

Results of Test 2:

The TEST feed does not differ from the control feed except for theincorporation of the adjuvant according to the invention comprising aScutellaria baicalensis extract.

The weight of the piglets was identical in both groups at birth.

Table 3 below presents the effects of a Scutellaria baicalensis extracton the milk production of sows as assessed by the growth of the nursedpiglets (ADWG—Average Daily Weight Gain in grams of the nursed piglets).The weight at weaning and the ADWG are significantly higher in thepiglets suckled by a sow that consumed feed supplemented withScutellaria baicalensis.

TABLE 3 Average weight of piglets according to the feed of the sowAverage weight of Weight at the piglets at birth weaning ADWG (kg) (kg)(g/d) Control 1.33 5.68 235 Scutellaria baïcalensis 1.32 6.04 264Comparison of average - ns <0.001 <0.001 significance

The weight of the piglets reveals a higher growth in piglets whosemothers consumed feed comprising a Scutelaria baicalensis extract. Thisshows that the milk production of sows is stimulated by the Scutellariabaicalensis extract.

Test 3: Study of the Effect of the Administration of a Feed Comprisingthe Adjuvant with the Scutellaria baicalensis Extract on a Solid Vehicleon the Feed Intake of Laying Hens Subject to Thermal Stress

Protocol:

72 Isabrown laying hens thirty weeks old at the beginning of the testwere divided into three groups of twelve cages each containing two hens.The test was carried out until the hens were 38 weeks old.

Group 1 received the control feed. The characteristics are provided intable 4.

Group 2, also called the OTC group, received the control feedsupplemented with an antibiotic, 400 ppm of oxytetracycline.

Group 3, also called the SCU group, received the control feedsupplemented with an extract from the root of Scutellaria baicalensisproviding 6 mg of baicalin/kg of feed.

TABLE 4 formula of the basic feed distributed Raw materials % WHEAT30.00 MAIZE 36.62 SOY meal 21.40 SOY oil 0.80 BICARBONATE of sodium 0.12BICALCIUM PHOSPHATE 1.26 CARBONATE 7.54 SALT 0.28 METHIONINE 15/WHEAT 850.98 Mineral and vitamin 1 supplement

After three weeks of distribution of the experimental feed, the henswere subject to a variation in temperature. The temperature of theenvironment increased from 22° C. (thermal comfort) to 35° C. for 5days. Food intake, number of eggs laid and average weight of the eggswere recorded every week and every day during the week of the hightemperature as well as during the following week.

The test was divided into three phases: pre-heat increase phase, thermalstress phase and post-high temperature stress phase.

Results:

The consumption during the pre-thermal increase phase is identical inall of the groups. During the thermal stress phase, the daily feedintake per hen was 50.9 g, 53.5 g and 59.7 g for the control, OTC andSCU groups respectively. The intake was significantly higher in the SCUgroup (p<0.05). The group 3, SCU laying hens increased their feed intakeby 17% during the thermal stress phase. The egg-laying rate over the 2weeks including the thermal stress phase and the following week are85.2, 88.5 and 87.2% for the hens receiving the control feed, the feedsupplemented with the antibiotic and the Scutellaria baicalensisextract, respectively.

Test 4: Study of the Effect of the Administration of a Feed Comprisingan Adjuvant Consisting of an Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis on aSolid Vehicle on the Growth of Chickens Subject to a High Temperature

160 Ross PM3 yellow chickens were divided into four groups of 20 cages,each with two chickens. Group 1 was the control group. The compositionof the feed that the group 1 chickens received is provided in table 5.Group 2 received the control feed supplemented with an adjuvantaccording to the invention comprising an extract of Scutellariabaicalensis at 3 mg of baicalin/kg of feed. Group 3 received the samefeed with 6 mg of baicalin/kg and Group 4, 9 mg/kg of feed. In view ofthe intake, it was possible to calculate the average dose of baicalinconsumed per kg of raw weight (table 6, FIG. 3). The Scutellariabaicalensis extract was provided by an adjuvant containing 0.5% extractand 99.5% wheat instead of the wheat in the formula.

TABLE 5 Composition of the basic feed distributed INGREDIENT % WHEAT30.00 MAIZE 34.25 SOY grains 4.20 Soy meal 25.70 SOY oil 1.50BICARBONATE of SODIUM 0.21 BICALCIUM PHOSPHATE 1.43 CARBONATE 0.62 SALT0.20 METHIONINE 15/WHEAT 85 1.07 L-LYSINE 20/WHEAT 75 0.42 Vitamin andtrace minerals PREMIX 0.40

From day 25 to day 30, the chickens were subjected to an artificialincrease in the temperature from 22° C. to 36° C. in order to induce athermal stress.

The chickens were weighed before and after the thermal stress phase andtheir feed intake was measured (day 24 and day 30). The test continueduntil day 30.

Results:

Table 6 sums up the results obtained in the four groups of chickensduring the thermal stress phase (day 24 to day 30).

TABLE 6 Weight of the chickens according to their feed Initial weightFinal weight Dose before the thermal after the thermal (mg/kg of livestress phase stress phase ADWG ADI Group weight/day) (g) (g) (g/d) (g/d)TCI Control 0 1290 1786 82.6 152.2 1.94 Baicalin 0.3 1305 1852 91.1162.3 1.80 Baicalin 0.6 1257 1837 96.6 168.5 1.74 Baicalin 0.9 1288 180486.0 157.0 1.94 Comparison of average - ns <0.01 0.05 <0.01 0.06significance (initial weight as a covariable) ADWG, average daily weightgain ADI, average daily intake TCI, technical consumption index

Before the period of stress resulting from a high temperature in thebuildings, the growth of the birds receiving the two feeds was identical(the weight at day 24 did not differ in the groups). The average dailyintake (ADI) in the group receiving the feed comprising an extract ofScutellaria baicalensis at the rate of 0.6 mg/kg of live weight and perday was higher by 10.7% and the average daily weight gain (ADWG) was 17%higher during the thermal stress phase than in the control group. Thisled to a better growth of the treated chickens than the chickens in thecontrol group. The 0.6 mg dose of baicalin per kg of live weight and perday is the dose providing the most interesting effects (FIG. 3).

Test 5: Study of the Effect of the Administration of a Feed Comprisingthe Adjuvant with the Extract of Scutellaria baicalensis on a SolidVehicle on the Improvement in the State of Health and Resistance toDisease of Piglets Subject to a Stress

The piglets were 42 days old at the beginning of the test. Three groupswere formed: a control group, a group receiving the same feedsupplemented with 100 ppm of an antibiotic (tylosine) and finally thelast group receiving a feed supplemented with 100 ppm of an extract ofScutellaria baicalensis, that is 30 ppm of baicalin per kg of feed. Thediseases were noted as were the curative treatments used in each groups.The results are provided in table 7.

TABLE 7 Pathological episodes in weaned piglets according to their feed.Extract of Tylosine Scutellaria antibiotic baicalensis (100 ppm in (100ppm in P Control the feed) the feed) (Chi2) Pigs in test 19 25 20 Numberof deaths 0 0 0 Withdrawn from test 0 1 0 Mortality + elimination 0.04.0 0 (%) Number of treatments 15 14 5 <0.05 % treatments 78.9 56.0 25Watery diarrhoea 7 4 3 Lean 0 2 0 Lame 0 0 0 Cough 8 7 2 Nervoussymptoms 0 1 0 Number of pigs treated 13 13 5 <0.05 % Pigs treated 68.452 25 % Pigs not treated 31.6 48 75 Pigs treated per cause Waterydiarrhoea 7 4 3 Lean 0 2 0 Lame 0 0 0 Cough 8 7 2 Nervous symptoms 0 1 0

A significant reduction in disease is observed in the group receivingthe adjuvant in the feed comprising according to the invention anextract of Scutellaria baicalensis and a reduction in the number ofcurative treatments is also observed. The typology of the symptoms notedshows a non-specific general improvement in the state of health due toan improvement in the digestive problems and the respiratory problems.

1-12. (canceled)
 13. A nutritional adjuvant intended to improve theproduction performance in farmed animals in a situation of stress,consisting of baicalin and/or baicalein diluted on a vehicle.
 14. Thenutritional adjuvant according to the claim 13, wherein the baicalinand/or baicalein is provided by an extract of Scutellaria baicalensis.15. The nutritional adjuvant according to the claim 13, wherein thebaicalin and/or baicalein are obtained by chemical synthesis.
 16. Thenutritional adjuvant according to claim 15, wherein the baicalin and/orbaicalein is distributed to the animal with a dose between 0.1 and 20 mgper kg live weight and per day.
 17. The nutritional adjuvant accordingto claim 16, wherein said nutritional adjuvant does not contain anyantibiotics.
 18. An animal feed comprising an adjuvant according toclaim
 17. 19. The animal feed according to claim 18, wherein thebaicalin and/or baicalein is distributed to the animal at a dose rangingfrom 0.1 to 20 mg per kg live weight and per day.
 20. A feed comprisingan adjuvant according to claim 19, for use in the improvement in theproduction performance of farmed animals in a situation of stress. 21.The feed comprising an adjuvant according to claim 13, for use in thestimulation of lactation in farmed animals in a situation of stress. 22.The feed comprising an adjuvant according to claim 13, for use in thestimulation of egg production in farmed animals in a situation ofstress.
 23. The feed comprising an adjuvant according to claim 13, foruse in the stimulation of growth in farmed animals in a situation ofstress.
 24. The feed comprising an adjuvant according to claim 13, foruse in the stimulation of the resistance to disease in farmed animals ina situation of stress.